§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been forcibly fed in prisons in England and Wales since 1st January 1973; if he will publish details; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarlisleBetween 1st January and 6th December 1973, 23 male and two female prisoners in England and Wales had been compulsorily fed by artificial means for varying periods. Compulsory feeding of a prisoner who refuses food is carried out only when, in the judgment of the medical officer, it is essential in order to prevent irreparable damage to the prisoner's health.